KAPLAN TURBINE

It is an axial flow reaction turbine. This operates in an entirely closed conduit to tailrace.
Kaplan turbine is employed, where a large quantity of water is available.
It consists of spiral casing, guide mechanism and draft tube of Kaplan turbine runner are
similar to those of Francis turbine.

WORKING PRINCIPLE OF KAPLAN TURBINE

Kaplan turbine consist of the following parts

a) Spiral or scroll air tight casing

b) Guide mechanism

c ) Runner and main shaft

d) Draft tube

e) Governor
 In the Kaplan turbine the runner has 4 to 6 blades attached to the hub or boss. The water
enters the turbine in the axial direction. Since only a few blades are used the contact surface
with water and hence the frictional resistance is reduced. The blades are made of
stainless steel. The runner blades are so arranged that their angle of
inclination can be adjusted while running Hence the kaplan turbine is also called variable
pitch propeller turbine.

The whole mechanism is enclosed in a central boss, which is operated by the

governor through the action of servomotor. By this means, the blade angles are
automatically adjusted while running according to the power developed by the turbine. In
the Kaplan turbine both guide vane angle and runner blade angle may be varied. This results in
higher efficiency.

Working

The water from the scroll casing flows over the guide vanes. It is then deflected
through 90° and enters the adjustable runner vanes. The water enters with
maximum potential energy and with little kinetic energy. It flows through the :‘
lades in the axial direction. The force exerted on the vanes causes the shaft to rotate. In
this turbine only 3 to 6 blades are used and they are fixed at equidistance. The runner
is in the form of boss having a bigger diameter. As the blades of the runner as well as
guide blades can be adjusted during operation, the governing of the turbine is easy. The water
after doing work passes on to the tail race through a draft tube. The specific speed of this
turbine is between 300 to 1000 rpm.

Source : http://mediatoget.blogspot.in/2011/11/kaplan-turbine.html